Medici
- Players
- 2-6
- Best withThe player count this game plays best at.
- 5 players
- Play timeHow long a full game runs once everyone knows the rules.
- 60 min
- AgeThe minimum age printed by the publisher.
- 10+
- ComplexityHow demanding the rules are, from 1 (very light) to 5 (very heavy).
- 2.2 / 5
- Year
- 1995
About the game
Medici is a classic Reiner Knizia auction game in which players bid on cargo cards representing Renaissance trade goods, racing to fill their ships with the most valuable and abundant cargo. Bidding costs you points directly, creating a constant tension between spending now to secure goods and saving your score for later rounds. After three rounds, bonuses reward those with the most of each commodity and the highest total cargo value. It's a lean, elegant classic that plays beautifully at nearly any player count.
Hobbli's Notes
Medici is vintage Knizia: simple rules hiding a sharp auction puzzle where every bid is a direct trade-off against your final score. It scales remarkably well from two players up to six, a rarity for auction games. A timeless pick for groups who enjoy quick, cutthroat bidding with minimal setup.
What we like
- Elegant auction system where bids directly cost you victory points.
- Scales exceptionally well across a wide range of player counts.
- Quick playtime makes it easy to fit into any game night.
- Timeless design from a celebrated auction-game designer.
Keep in mind
- Purely auction-focused play may feel one-note for some groups.
- Limited components and theme may feel dated to newer players.
- Runaway leaders can be hard to catch in the final round.
Who it's for
Great for groups of 2-6, ages 10+, who enjoy auction and bidding games with quick, elegant rules.
